"Shhh, you can't call me that," Ruyi snapped. "While we're here, refer to me as Young Master."
Reluctantly, Xiao Lan accepted the treat and nibbled on it.
They arrived at a small group of spectators, watching an entertainer who was balancing one leg on a tiny wooden bench and juggling balls.
The audience erupted in amusement as they clapped and praised the juggler.
Ruyi was engrossed.
"He's amazing," she whispered as she pushed her way forward.
Xiao Lan yanked her back. "Miss—Young master, let's go back home."
"Just a little longer," Ruyi pleaded.
Then, out of the corner of her eye, she saw a commotion near the entrance of a teahouse.
A young boy was being dragged by his robe by an angry-looking shopkeeper. The boy fought back his restraint.
Ruyi's mind suddenly flashed back to when she was being dragged through the palace walls. She started to pant in fear.
"You little thief!" the shopkeeper yelled. "Were you attempting to steal from my store?"
"Leave me alone, I didn't steal anything, I'm innocent," the boy defended himself. Ruyi stood there, lost in her past. It felt as though she was the little boy and the past was repeating itself.
"Young master?" Xiao Lan tapped her, drawing her back from her trance. "Are you okay?" she asked in concern.
"I'm Alright," Ruyi replied softly. But her eyes were fixed on the little boy.
Xiao Lan followed her gaze and shook her head. "Don't even think about it," Xiao Lan said.
"He's just a child," Ruyi replied.
"That isn't our issue. We should leave before you get involved."
Ruyi turned a deaf ear to Xiao Lan's words and intervened.
She cleared and adjusted her voice, sounding more masculine. "Excuse me, sir," she addressed the shopkeeper.
The shopkeeper turned to face her. "Who are you?"
"A scholar from a noble house," Ruyi said coolly, and touched her invisible beards. "Is there any proof this boy stole from you?" she asked.
The shopkeeper faltered. "This—I—well, no, but he was suspiciously lurking near my stall."
"That is hardly a crime," Ruyi pointed out.
The boy looked at her in awe.
This got the shopkeeper angry as he began to raise his voice. "Don't tell me you're with this little thief! Everyone, come and see!" he called out to passersby and everyone around. "This man is trying to rob me of my business," he said, pointing at Ruyi.
"He sent this little boy to steal from me," he accused.
"You—" Xiao Lan trailed off, you're lying."
"Why would I lie? What will I gain from lying?" the man said with an innocent voice. "I'll make sure you get arrested today," he threatened.
Xiao Lan whispered into Ruyi's ear, "What do we do? We could get arrested. It's our first time outside, and now we've caused trouble."
Ruyi folded her arms and smirked, then walked up to the shopkeeper.
"What do you want? What are you trying to do?" the shopkeeper asked as he guarded himself against Ruyi.
Ruyi, unscathed, leaned in and whispered in his ears, "My uncle is the Prime Minister and the Imperial Noble consort's only brother, Zhen Shi. Are you sure you still want to cross me?" Ruyi asked, still smiling calmly.
The shopkeeper trembled at the mention of the name and cleared his throat. "All right, just make sure that brat stays away from my shop." He let the boy go and headed towards his stall. "Everyone dismiss, there's nothing else to see," he declared. And everyone who had gathered before went on with their daily business.
"Thank you, young master," the boy said and bowed.
Ruyi smiled at him. "Next time, watch out. Here—" she took the boy's palm and dropped a few coins on it.
"You're so kind. Thank you," the boy said and went away to meet his friends.
"That was amazing. How did you do that?" Xiao Lan asked, definitely amused by Ruyi's action.
Ruyi smiled and answered, "It only felt right."
Xiao Lan shook her head. "Let's return before you decide to take on someone else."
While they made their way home, Ruyi and Xiao Lan entered a store with gorgeous clothing, fabrics, and hair accessories. The sight of a certain fabric, rich blue with elaborate silver embroidery made Ruyi's eyes sparkle. She rushed towards the fabric to check it out. But as her fingertips reached for the clothe, a second hand instantly seized it.
She turned her head around in surprise.
"Let go," she said, holding onto the robe as if her life depended on it.
The guest, a tall, young man with a smug look on his face lifted his brows. "Why should I? My hands touched it first."
Ruyi laughed, "You must be mistaken, I reached for it first."
The young man yanked the fabric away from her, causing her to lose her balance. Her feet slipped on the wooden floor as she staggered back. Just as she braced for impact, a hard hand caught her by the waist and pulled her back upright.
Ruyi blinked in disbelief.
The stranger wore a simple yet rich-looking robe. His dark hair was tied up with a noble-like accessory; his features were prepossessing, and his eyes were bright. One could not tell what he was thinking or what his next action would be.
But before she could express her gratitude, she instantly became conscious of his lingering touch. During the scuffle, his hands had unwittingly touched her chest. They both realized it at the same time.
His eyes widened, and he immediately released her, taking a step back as if nothing had occurred. But Ruyi, obviously pissed, moved closer to him and landed him a slap.
"You—" The young man who yanked the fabric away earlier attempted to draw his sword but was stopped by the handsome stranger. "Liu Yi," he called, and Liu Yi immediately backed down.
Ruyi, flustered, cleared her throat and adjusted her robe. "What? You'll kill me?" she said to Liu Yi, who was furious.
"Dare me?" Liu Yi said determinedly.
"I won't argue with you; return it to me," Ruyi said with her palm open.
Liu Yi smirked. "Mister, it's not about who saw it first; it's about who grabbed it first. You saw it first, but you were too slow."
"You definitely snatched it from me, you thief," Ruyi remarked.
Xiao Lan, worried, moved close to her and whispered into her ear, "Miss Ruyi, it's fine; let's return home."
"I'm not returning until this thief returns what he stole," Ruyi declared.
Liu Yi held up the fabric. "Forget about it, little brother, I won this round."
"You—who is your little brother? You shameless cheat," Ruyi said with a deep, husky voice. "Return it to me." She reached up for the fabric, but Liu Yi easily waved it away, making it impossible to grab, and almost tripping her again.
He laughed, and she became even more irritated by his behavior.
Alright you little thief, watch how I teach you a lesson, Ruyi said scanning the room. She saw a broomstick at the corner of the room and headed towards it, just as she grabbed it and attempted to hurl it at Liu Yi, the handsome stranger intervened.
"Enough!" He said softly, moving in between to separate them. "Liu Yi, that's enough." He spoke with a stern but calm voice.
Liu Yi scowled, but "Your high—"
The handsome stranger interrupted him, giving him a glare. "Do you want me to tell Mother that you were fighting in the streets over a piece of clothing?"
Liu Yi froze in confusion before quickly catching on. "Fine, I'll let it go," he said and sighed.
He tossed the fabric back onto the pile of clothing and turned away.
"Hey! Where do you think you're going?" Ruyi called after them.
"Miss Ruyi, let it go," Xiao Lan pleaded with her.
"Apologize!" Ruyi demanded.
Liu Yi chuckled. "Are you crazy?"
"I'll show you how a crazy man behaves." Ruyi said and picked up the broomstick again when the handsome stranger bowed slightly in front of her.
"I apologize on his behalf, my younger brother has always been difficult to deal with since he was young. The truth is, he suffers from a rare malady—it makes him cause trouble everywhere he goes."
Liu Yi's mouth dropped open in surprise and pointed at himself. "Me?"
Ruyi lifted her eyebrow. "Ailment?"
The handsome stranger nodded and shook his head, "It's really unfortunate; however, since you're so kind and generous, I'm sure you can overlook his foolishness."
"Alright, I'll let it slide this time," Ruyi responded, dropping the broomstick. "You should keep him in check next time," she said and placed her hands behind her, pacing the room like a man deep in thought.
"Let's go," she said to Xiao Lan, and they headed out.
Xiao Lan quickly looked back at the two men and bowed before hurrying after Ruyi.
"Miss Ruyi, you're impossible; I don't know what I'll do with you," Xiao Lan uttered as they made their way back.
Ruyi simply smiled; this was an adventure she would never forget.
The handsome stranger watched them leave, a smile tugging at his lips.
"She's interesting," he murmured.
Liu Yi snorted. "He's trouble, that's what he is."
Then, as if something suddenly clicked, he turned to his partner with wide eyes.
"She?" Liu Yi repeated. "What do you mean?"
The handsome stranger smiled before responding. "She's a woman."
"What? How…how did you know?" Liu Yi asked, still processing the revelation.
The handsome stranger scoffed. "Do you think I'm clueless like you?"
"Right…now that I think about it, how could I not see it?" He muttered to himself.
The handsome stranger chuckled softly, his gaze fixed on the woman's retreating figure.
"It seems their path will cross once more."